The second annual Angels of Light fundraiser kicked off last Sunday with baseball and softball games taking place all day at Young’s Field in Milton. This year the event coordinators were Angels of Light board member Jen Bell, whose son Brady was supported through his battle with leukemia last year, and Jenna Trapani, a parent of a Marlin team player.

 

The Angels of Light website states that their organization lends support to families in the Hudson Valley that are facing a life-altering diagnosis; “We offer financial assistance, unwavering compassion and a community of support when it is needed the most.”

 

This year Angels of Light supported Avianna Kortlang and her family. She is near the end of her treatments and walked with her family around the bases and threw out the first pitch.

 

James Mullen said last year they raised nearly $1,000 for the organization through the sale of T shirts and a total of about $3,000.

 

“This year we made it a little bigger with an all-day event with our boys Marlin baseball and girls softball teams, representing Angels of Light in their uniform shirt,” he said.

 

Heather Nikola and Jenna Trapani are board members of the Marlboro Youth Baseball and Softball, “and when Jen [Bell] asked if we would be able to do this again everyone said absolutely and James [Mullen] was great with spearheading this on the field.” They noted that Top Seed Landscaping generously sponsored all of the Marlin team T shirts.

 

Avianna’s grandmother, Deana Kortlang, said the event is wonderful.

 

“I think this is a great opportunity and it is phenomenal that they do this,” she said. “I want to thank everybody at Angels of Light because they have done so much for our family. When Avianna was in the hospital they would bring her stuff and it was amazing.”

 

Avianna’s father, P.J. Kortlang, said, “It’s really sweet that they had us come out and Angels of Light have been great to us and Avi threw out the fist pitch. It’s a great day.”

 

Kevin Levine brought his Warrior Cards to the event.

 

“Warrior Cards was started in memory of my daughter Emma, who passed away five years ago, at 15, from a rare form of cancer,” he said “Our mission is to provide moments of joy, distraction and a little bit of normalcy to pediatric cancer patients and their families around the country with sports trading cards.” He noted that in 2026 his cards are in 20 states, saying he provides baseball cards, Disney cards and Star Wars cards to name a few.

 

“Emma always had a great disposition; she would compliment people on their shoes, she would thank every military person for their service and would reach in my pocket to give people money. That was the way she was and she was one of the first kids supported by Angels of Light, so I try to honor her in the way she carried herself.”

 

At warriorcards.com the goal is to restore joy. It says “We provide the excitement of fostering a rewarding hobby that many children lose access to during treatment.” It creates lifelines: these boxes offer families the opportunity to find rare “hits” that can translate into real financial support at a time when it is most desperately needed; it builds the Warrior Family and fosters a community of collectors, bringing joy to their families through the shared experience of opening a new box; It honors a legacy: every card delivered is a tribute to Emma’s spirit, ensuring her light continues to shine by bringing a smile to the face of every child we serve.”

 

The local organization wants to thank Marlboro Youth Baseball & Softball Organization, SC Designs for donating a portion of each shirt sale to the Angels of Light, Annabelle Carola for singing the National Anthem and providing a table for people to make cards for pediatric cancer patients, Family Affair Restaurant, the Hudson Valley Hawks, Beacon Bulldogs, HV Storm and New Paltz Riot.